USS Ouellet (FF-1077)

USS "Ouellet" (FF-1077) was a "Knox"-class frigate of the United States Navy. "Ouellet" was the first ship of the U.S. Navy to bear the name of Seaman David George Ouellet. It was one of a class of frigates specifically designated to locate and destroy enemy submarines. "Ouellet"’s keel was laid at Avondale Shipyard in Westwego, Louisiana on January 15, 1969. She was christened at Charleston Naval Shipyard, South Carolina on December 12, 1970.

1970s

"Ouellet" arrived at her homeport in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on April 15, 1971, with her first deployment to the Western Pacific commencing on January 27, 1972. "Ouellet" twice came under hostile fire during this deployment, however no causalities were sustained.

During ceremonies re-establishing the U.S. Third Fleet on February 1, 1973, USS "Ouellet" became the first Third Fleet flagship since World War II.

USS "Ouellet" made her second deployment to the Western Pacific from May through September 1973. She began her first regular overhaul on September 14, 1974, with completion on June 3, 1975. "Ouellet" was selected as the CINCPACFLT flagship for the U.S. Navy's 200th birthday ceremonies. "Ouellet" completed two more Western Pacific deployments prior to overhaul in late 1978. Regular overhaul was completed mid 1979 with three Western Pacific deployments to follow commencing September 1980, April 1982, and October 1983 respectfully.

1980s

"Ouellet" began her third major overhaul in February 1985. She received extensive upgrades to her gun mount, received CIWS, and SNAP II computers. In 1986 "Ouellet" was again preparing for a Western Pacific deployment. "Ouellet" deployed for her eighth time in April 1987. This deployment took her with Battle Group Delta to the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman for the Iran crisis. She returned to Pearl Harbor on October 6, 1987.

"Ouellet" started out 1988 with a special operation coordinated by the Coast guard to capture the CHRISTINA M, a cargo vessel laden with over 12 tons of marijuana. Instead of regular overhaul, "Ouellet" spent most of 1988 in a Ship's Restricted Availability repairing and upgrading most of her systems. Following extensive training, "Ouellet" made her ninth deployment in mid December 1988. She returned on May 26 1989 to turn around and prepare to get underway again in September 1989 for "Pacific Exercises 89" (PAC EX 89).

Upon return to Pearl Harbor in November 1989 she went into dry dock, refloating in February 1990. After extensive preparations and an exhaustive inspection cycle, "Ouellet" departed on August 1990 to Central America in support of law enforcement operations.

1990s

These operations, called "Legal OPS '90" for short, included amongst the crew, a detachment of Coast Guard personnel to act as a legal "policing force" aboard the "Ouellet". This was the first time that a Coast Guard flag flew from a U.S.Navy warship in operations such as these. In search for drug smugglers, the "Ouellet" recovered close to 1 ton of pure, unprocessed cocaine, which was jettisoned from an unknown vessel trying to elude authorities. While on "Legal OPS '90" "Ouellet" transited through the Panama Canal with follow-on ports-of-call in Panama and Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles. After returning in to Pearl Harbor in November 1990 "Ouellet" was awarded the "Battle E" for overall excellence and the "Joint Meritorious Unit Citation" (JMUC).

In June 1991, "Ouellet" participated in three phases of shipboard training for midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy, and "Anti-Submarine Operations 91". Port calls made during this training period included visits to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and Kodiak Island, Alaska. "Ouellet" crewmembers took advantage of this "in-port" time to celebrate our country's birthday on the "4th of July".

"Ouellet"'s final deployment was from March 25 to July 24, 1992. This Western Pacific Rim journey was her 10th major deployment, and took the "Ouellet" to the Continent of Australia . While en route, she participated in "Pacific ASW Exercise 92", and operated with elements of the Australian Navy in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the "Battle of the Coral Sea".

This was her final voyage as a United States Naval Ship, after serving her country proudly for over 20 years. USS "Ouellet" was decommissioned in August 3, 1993.

As of May 1998, the former USS "Ouellet" serves with the Royal Thai Navy as HTMS "Phutthaloetla Naphalai", F-462. [http://www.casgen.com/pr/pr970005.htm]

External links

* [http://www.ussouellet.com/ USS Ouellet Web Site]
* [http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/FF1077.htm Naval Vessel Register FF1077]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/o5/ouellet.htm DANFS Ouellet]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/06021077.htm NavSource images]
* [http://navysite.de/ff/ff1077.htm Navysite.de]